The Columbus Crew dropped to No. 4 on MLSsoccer.com and No. 10 on ESPN.com after a 1-1 draw at the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, Oct. 24.
The Black & Gold already have an MLS Cup Playoffs spot clinched and will look to secure a top-six seed this Wednesday at D.C. United. In this year's playoff format, Eastern Conference seeds No. 7 through No. 10 will each take part in a play-in match.
The No. 7 seed will face the No. 10 seed and the No. 8 seed will face the No. 9 seed. The lowest seed play-in winner will then advance to face the No. 1 seed, while the highest seed play-in winner will advance to face No. 2 seed.
See below for MLSsoccer.com's and ESPN.com's respective Power Rankings.
MLSsoccer.com: 4th
Previous ranking: 3rd
"Injury returns were a theme in Week 20, and it applied to Columbus when they got goalkeeper Eloy Room and midfielders Darlington Nagbe and Lucas Zelarayan back on the pitch together. With four games left, they have the chance to discover their early-season, Supporters’ Shield-leading form."
ESPN.com: 10th
Previous ranking: 7th
"Granted, the Crew's schedule has been road-heavy of late, but such was their play earlier in the season that more is expected than one win in six. At least Darlington Nagbe and Lucas Zelarayan are back on the field."
